One more question for Sestak

There’s nothing like a long holiday weekend to take the heat out of a political scandal.

My guess is that the upheaval surrounding the White House’s admission that they used former President Clinton to try to dissuade Delco U.S.
Rep. Joe Sestak from challenging Sen. Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary will continue to ebb.

But I still have one question.

If this went down as the two sides said it did (and am I the only one who got the distinct feel this was a pretty convenient story?), why didn’t Sestak simply clear the matter up the day it first hit the papers.

Sestak was asked by veteran TV journalist Larry Kane if he had been offered a job to get out of the race and answered honestly.

“Yes,” was his one-word reply.

After sticking to that story for months, saying consistently that he had been offered a “job,” and declining further comment, this all came to a head last week.

Turns out it wasn’t exactly a “job,” at least not a paying one.

The story that came out of the White House, which Sestak agreed with, is that he was offered a non-paying advisory post.

So why didn’t Sestak simply say that months ago, instead of allowing this thing to build into a bit of a tempest?

It remains to be seen if this hurts Sestak at all in his race against former Congressman Pat Toomey. For his part, Toomey has indicated he’s not all that concerned about it. He seems much more interested in talking issues – and the clear differences between himself and Sestak.

The big loser in all this is the White House, which campaigned on an image of transparency and putting an end to just this kind of back-room deal.

Of course they have someone they can thank for the reason this issue continued to smolder for months before erupting in flames after the primary.

Joe Sestak could have poured cold water all over this months ago. He chose not to.

Not doubt much to the chagrin of the White House, Democratic party leaders and others who never wanted him in the race to begin with.

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